Bilhan
Bilhan [1]
(Heb. Bilhan', בַּלְהָן ; Sept. Βαλαάμ , Βαλαάν ; Balaan, Balan; the same root [ בָּלָה , to Fail] as Bilhah, Genesis 30:3, etc. The final ן is evidently a Horite termination, as in Zaavan, Akan, Dishan, Aran, Lotan, Alvan, Hemdan, Eshban, etc., but is also found in Heb. names).
1. A Horite chief, son of Ezer, son of Seir, dwelling in Mount Seir, in the land of Edom ( Genesis 36:27; 1 Chronicles i, 42). B.C. cir. 1963.
2. A Benjamite, son of Jediael, and father of seven sons ( 1 Chronicles 7:10). B.C. ante 1658. It does not appear clearly from which of the sons of Benjamin Jediael was descended, as he is not mentioned in Genesis 46:21, or Numbera 26. But as he was the father of Ehud ( 1 Chronicles 7:10), and Ehud seems, from 1 Chronicles 8:3; 1 Chronicles 8:6, to have been a son of Bela, Jediael, and consequently Bilhan, were probably Belaites. The occurrence of Bilhan as well as Bela in the tribe of Benjamin-names both imported from Edom-is remarkable. (See Benjamin).
